Cargo Bed Extender Spring Feet Rattle Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cargo bed extenders for off-road utility vehicles tend to rattle excessively and create noise due to their design, and there is a need for a cost-effective solution that can be easily disassembled and stored.
Innovation Solution
A cargo bed extender with a center structure and side structures that can pivot between extended and stowed positions, featuring spring biased feet and locking pins to secure the extender in place, reducing noise and rattle by exerting forces against the tailgate or cargo bed floor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a cargo bed extender is used on an off-road utility vehicle, then the cargo transport capability is improved, but excessive rattling and noise are generated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by incorporating foam material between the extender structure and the cargo bed floor. This foam cushioning is installed in advance to absorb vibrations and prevent rattling before they occur during off-road travel, directly addressing the noise and vibration problem while maintaining cargo transport functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an intermediary approach by introducing a foam material as a mediator between the rigid extender structure and the cargo bed. This intermediary foam layer acts as a buffer that reduces direct contact and vibration transmission, thereby eliminating excessive rattling and noise during vehicle operation
2Adaptability or versatility
If a cargo bed extender is designed for off-road use, then the vehicle utility is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the cargo bed extender into separate modular components that can be easily assembled and disassembled. The extender structure is broken down into sections that can be attached to the cargo bed and removed when not needed, providing off-road utility while keeping the overall system simple and manageable
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by designing the extender with movable and adjustable components rather than fixed rigid structures. The extender can be easily installed, removed, and repositioned, allowing the vehicle utility to adapt to different off-road conditions while maintaining simplicity through flexible rather than complex mechanical arrangements
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively reduces or eliminates rattling and noise while allowing for easy disassembly and storage, making it suitable for off-road use and cost-effective.
Implementation Method 1
Spring biased feet may extend from the side structures into contact with the tailgate in the extended position and into contact with the cargo bed floor in the stowed position
Data Source
AI summary
A cargo bed extender includes a pair of side mounting plates attached to a cargo bed sidewall, a center structure having a plurality of cross bars between a pair of end plates, and a pair of side structures with a plurality of cross bars between a front plate and a mast. Each side structure has a pivot rod engaging the side mounting plate, and a pair of spring biased feet, one of the feet extending from each end of the mast. Locking pins may be inserted through the front plate to engage the side mounting plate and hold the spring biased feet in a position where they exert forces against the tailgate or cargo bed floor.